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The Every 15 Minutes Event at Rhea County High School March 26, 2012. This was a program organized by the Rhea County Anti-Drug Coalition (RCAD) and the Rhea County Sheriff's Department. It was presented to raise awareness of the dangers of drinking and/or texting while driving.

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My Parting Words

Author: Tiffany SoysterDate: February 26, 2014

By: Jenifer Manzo

As a freshman, in college, if you had told me I would spend
over a year of my life teaching Risk Avoidance to kids in middle and high
school, I probably would have thought you were crazy (I couldn’t even say the
word “sex” back then! It’s true, just ask my friends). That being said, I
wouldn’t trade these last 15 months for the world! Sure I’d rather not walk
into Wal-Mart and be identified as “the Sex Lady” (be honest, you wouldn’t
either), but the lessons I’ve learned and the kids and budding young adults I’ve
had the pleasure of getting to know have been well worth all the awkward
moments.

If there’s one thing I’ve tried to make sure my students
understand, it’s that I will always be honest with them, even when it is hard.
So in keeping with that, I can honestly say that I’m struggling with the words
to say goodbye. I want to leave you with something that will encourage you,
something that when you’re having a bad day, you can look back at these words
and remember that you are special and that there are people in this world who
care about you and the success of your future.

There are four things I want you to remember:

-First: You are a unique individual who has
talents and abilities that are unlike any other person on this planet. To
quote… well myself J
“Never ever, EVER, let anyone tell you that you can’t become the person you
want to be!” I know I have said it countless times, but it is true, and I need
to say it one more time before I go. If you’ve heard any part of my story you
know that my life is evidence of someone beating the odds and reaching her
goals and dreams. If I can do it, so can you! So keep fighting to be the person
you want to be even if others doubt your ability. Remember that both myself and
the staff here at the Women’s Care Center believe in you and are here to help
you.

-Second: Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
There’s a part of us as humans that long for independence and a thing that
rises up inside saying “I got this! I can do it on my own.” But if I’ve learned anything on this crazy, rocky-road journey, it’s that as much as I want to, I can’t do it on my own. There are people
out there who know WAY more about life than I do, and if I’m smart I’ll learn
from both their successes and failures. After all, no one wants to make
mistakes that can be avoided. Right? So the best way to do that is by watching,
learning from, and asking questions of those who have a few (or maybe quite a
few) years on you. Believe me. You’ll learn so much! Sure, you’ll make your own
mistakes, but you will also be able to avoid a lot of mistakes by seeking the
advice of those who have already been through the muck.

-Third, true love is self-less. It never says “Baby, if you love me you will… (buy
me a present, have sex with me or whatever else follows those words)”. That is called manipulation. And if a girl, or guy, ever says those words to
you, do yourself a life-long favor: RUN (and don’t go back). True love, the
kind we all long for, says “I want what is best for you, even if that means I
don’t get what I want.”

-Fourth, I wouldn’t be “the Sex Lady” if I didn’t
tell you one last time: Trust me when I say “you won’t die if you wait until
you are married to have sex.” (I’ve waited, a LOT of my friends have waited,
and we’re still living, breathing, normal human beings). Don’t believe
the lie people will tell you, that everyone
is having sex before marriage and that you’re the only one not having sex. Over
50% of American teens are choosing to wait until they are married so you are
not alone in your decision. Now for those of you who have already had sex:
Remember you are still a person of value who deserves to be loved and
respected. Never forget that you can always make a different choice. Here’s a
question: Just because you made a bad decision yesterday, does that mean you
have to make the same decision today? As with anything in life, whether it be lying,
stealing, cheating on that math test, and yes, even having premarital sex, you
can always make a different choice. Your past decisions don’t define your
future. There may be consequences as a result of those actions, but they don’t
get to define you.

I get so frustrated with adults who tell my
students that because they have had sex before marriage, once (or even more
than once) that they are destined to have sex again and again. Actually, I get
more than frustrated, I get down-right angry. See, here’s the thing. I’ve
taught over 1500 students in this last year and not one of them has wet themselves
in my class. It’s true. If one of them has to use the restroom, they raise
their hand and ask, or they hold it. It is called self control and we as humans
have the ability to control our urges. The same thing applies to sexual urges.
You, as a human being, have self control. To say that teens, or even adults,
cannot control themselves sexually is to reduce them to an animal. Rabbits for
example cannot control themselves. They make more rabbits because that is what
they are supposed to do; they can’t help it. But you are not a
rabbit, or dog or any other animal. You have a will and the power of self
control. Don’t think of yourself as less than human by believing the lie that
you can’t control yourself. (ok lecture over)

I want each of you to know that you’ve played a special role
in my life. I have learned from you the importance of being real and honest.
You challenged and questioned me and it has only made me a better person. I
wish each of you the best and know that you will always have someone rooting
for you here on the side lines (or from way over the ocean in Zambia, Africa).

Check out this song by my favorite band Tenth Avenue
North (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwtcwQwgdsA
) and remember this: You are more than
the choices you have made! You are a special, unique individual who has talents
and abilities unlike any other human being.